Bhubaneswar, Feb. 3: Whoever has seen actor Dev Anand singing Na Tum Hume Jano to a confused Waheeda Rahman in the film Baat Ek Raat Ki, is compelled to remember the playback legend that was Hemant Kumar.

Singers from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Calcutta came together to pay tribute to the celebrated music composer and singer on Friday evening.

City-based cultural organisation The Evergreen, in association with the state department of culture, organised the musical evening titled ‘Haunting melodies of Hemant Kumar’ at Rabindra Mandap.

Singer Shimul Ghosh from Calcutta sang solo tracks such as Lahron pe leher from the film Chhabili, Yaad aa gayi woh nasheeli nigahen from Manzil and Aaj dujoner duti poth from Bengali film Harano sur. Later, he sang some duets such as Aa neel gagan tale, O neend na mujhko aaye, Tumhi mere meet ho and Umra huyi tumse mile.

Nazia, a known name in the Odia music circle, in her mellifluous voice, sang Kahan le chale ho from the film Durgesh Nandini, Meri baat rahi mere man mein from Sahib Bibi Ghulam, Jadugar Saiyan and Unchi unchi duniya ki diware from Nagin. She also lent her voice to several duet numbers on stage.

Singers G.B. Mishra, Adyasa Das, Lalatendu Rath, Shiv Patnaik and others sang numbers from films such as Anupama, Kohra, Khamosi, Satta Bazaar and Hum Bhi Insaan Hai.

Doudoor Rahman, a state government official and Mrinal Nanda, well-known television news anchor, also performed on the occasion.

The singers were well supported by the members of the orchestra. Abhikant on banjo, Basant on the octapad, Sudip on bass guitar, Premshankar on tabla, Rabi on dholak, Bhabatosh on mandolin, Simandree on saxophone and Bibhuti and Barada on the keyboards played some soulful music.

Inspired by Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali folk music, Hemant Kumar’s music and his contribution to Indian cinema remain unparalleled. In the 1940s and 1950s, he was equally popular in Calcutta and Bombay. He produced many of the biggest chartbusters of the era. The compositions of Hemantda, as he was fondly called, still enjoy the wide popularity among music lovers.

“Our organisation aims to preserve and promote old film songs and non-filmy music. Hemant Kumar was equally adept in singing and composing. We have given upcoming singers the opportunity to share the stage with professionals and sing the remarkable songs of the legend,” said Kamala Kanta Mohanty, chairman of The Evergreen.